To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Perceptions of Youth Crime and Youth Gangs: A Statewide Systemic Investigation
______________________________________________________________________
i
Table of Contents
List of Figures ……………………………………………………………….. iii
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………… v
Executive Summary ………………………………………………………… vi
Literature Review …………………………………………………………… 1
What is a gang? …………………………………………………….. 1
How prevalent are gangs? ………………………………………… 4
Why do gangs arise ? ………………………………………………. 7
Who joins gangs and why? ………………………………………… 9
What are the demographic features of
the American street gang? ………………………………………… 11
What are the structural features of the American
Street gang? …………………………………………………………. 13
What types of criminal and non- criminal activities do
gangs engage in? …………………………………………………… 17
What is the relationship between gangs, drugs and
violence? …………………………………………………………….. 18
What are the methods for addressing the gang issue? …………. 19
What are the recommended best practices for dealing
with the contemporary gang issue? ……………………………….. 21
What is known about contemporary gangs in North Carolina? …. 24
Methods ……………………………………………………………………….. 26
Results ……………………………………………………………………………….. 28

Perceptions of Youth Crime and Youth Gangs: A Statewide Systemic Investigation
______________________________________________________________________
i
Table of Contents
List of Figures ……………………………………………………………….. iii
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………… v
Executive Summary ………………………………………………………… vi
Literature Review …………………………………………………………… 1
What is a gang? …………………………………………………….. 1
How prevalent are gangs? ………………………………………… 4
Why do gangs arise ? ………………………………………………. 7
Who joins gangs and why? ………………………………………… 9
What are the demographic features of
the American street gang? ………………………………………… 11
What are the structural features of the American
Street gang? …………………………………………………………. 13
What types of criminal and non- criminal activities do
gangs engage in? …………………………………………………… 17
What is the relationship between gangs, drugs and
violence? …………………………………………………………….. 18
What are the methods for addressing the gang issue? …………. 19
What are the recommended best practices for dealing
with the contemporary gang issue? ……………………………….. 21
What is known about contemporary gangs in North Carolina? …. 24
Methods ……………………………………………………………………….. 26
Results ……………………………………………………………………………….. 28